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Sunday, April 25, 2010

City Centre Mall, Mangalore - Inauguration Today

2nd Biggest mall among the ones in Tier II cities in India, City Centre Mall, Mangalore will be officially inaugurated today, 25th April, 2010. With this Mangaloreans will have one more place to hang out and shop. Few days back, Life style outlet was opened in this mall. Various events were held in the mall running upto the inaugural day. I had visited the place last Monday. Here some of the pictures of the new mall.City Centre Mall, K S Rao Road, Mangalore
City Centre Mall, Mangalore
Rock Show at City Centre Mall, Mangalore
K S Rao Road, Mangalore

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Puttur Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple Chariot Festival

Chariot Festival of Mahotobhaara Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur was held on April 17, 2010. 71 feet high Brahma Ratha or Chariot was the highlight this time. Though it rained heavily for about an hour during the night of Chariot festival and created a mess for the people gathered, once it stopped raining people gathered again with the same enthusiasm at the festival grounds. Before Chariot festival begins, there is cracker festival held, witnessed and applauded by thousands gathered. Sky filled with colors during this time, is a treat to watch. But this time, due to rains cracker festival began at about 11 pm. So I could not see the whole of the festival. Here are some of the photos from the festival.
Brahma Ratha of Puttur Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple
Brahma Ratha of Puttur Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple

Wood carvings on Brahma Ratha
Wood carvings on Brahma Ratha

Temple Pond of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple
Temple Pond of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple

Full view of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple
Full view of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple

Brahma Ratha decorated with electric bulbs
Brahma Ratha decorated with electric bulbs

Bird's View of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple
Bird's View of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple

Betaala puppet
Betaala puppet

Entertainment stalls at Festival
Entertainment stalls at Festival

Thursday, April 01, 2010

Trip to Horanadu, Kalasa, Hosanadu Temples

Continuing from previous post...

To reach Horanadu from Sringeri you need to go via Kudremukha. If you love driving, then you would definitely want the roads to be as good as in Kudremukha. Great roads amidst greenary makes the drive memorable. Soon after Kudremukha, you will be greeted by tea estates on your way to Kalasa. Horanadu is half an hour journey from Kalasa. We had planned first to go to Horanadu then visit Kalasa temple, on our way back to Mangalore.Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple
Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple
As it was a holiday season, the temple was full of devotess from all over Karnataka. We went in queue for darshanam of Goddess Annapoorneshwari. Temple surroundings are filled with greenary. Coconut and arecanut palms form the backdrop of the temple. After the darshanam, we had the food in Bhojana Shaala of the temple. After this, when we started towards Kalasa, it was 3 15 in the afternoon.
Kalaseshwara Temple, Kalasa
Kalaseshwara Temple, Kalasa
When we reached Kalasa, it was 3 45 pm. Kalasa is located in Mudigere Taluk of Chikmagalur district and is the abode of Lord Kalaseshwara. This place is also known as Dakshin Kashi. Using the stairs, if you go towards the temple, first you will find storeyed building, much similar to the houses in Malnad. After moving to the right of this building, you will find Kalaseshwara Temple. Usually, people who visit Malnad, visit Sringeri, Horanadu and Kalasa temples in a single day. So, we could identify the faces, we saw in Sringeri and Horanadu.Rainbow in Kudremukha
Rainbow in Kudremukha
After the darshanam of Lord Kalaseshwara, when we started towards Mangalore, it was 4 30 pm. On our way back, in Kudremukha, we could spot a rainbow. Perfect picture in a perfect place. My plan when coming back was to go to Hanumana Gundi falls(Soothanabbi falls), which is 22 meters in height and is in Kudremukha National Park. But when we reached the place, it was closed as the entry timings are from morning 9 to evening 4 30 and it was already 6.Great Roads in Kudremukha
Kudremukha Roads - Too Good
These days, Kodyadka or Hosanadu (which is 7 km from Alangar in Dakshina Kannada in Moodabidare - Karkala highway) is becoming famous for Hosanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple. We decided to visit the shrine. Hosanadu temple was built by a localite when he got inspired, after frequent visits to Horanadu, to build a similar temple in his native.Radha Krishna Statue in Hosanadu, Kodyadka
Sculptures of Radha and Krishna in Hosanadu Temple, Kodyadka
At the temple entrance, you will see, 63 feet Lord Hanuman statue, holding the mountain containing Sanjeevini herbs. When you move further towards the temple, you will find a beautiful garden. Garbhagudi of the temple is a replica of Horanadu temple. Devotees are offered meals after the night pooja. One more thing worth mentioning here is that, priests do not accept any dakshina(money offerings) from devotees.

When we reached Mangalore, after visiting Hosanadu - that ended our 2 day pilgrimage trip to temples in coastal and Malnad Karnataka.

Raveesh